SURPRISING NUMBERS OF LIMA 2019 PAN AMERICAN GAMES

“Thanks, Peru. These were the best Pan American Games in history,” stated Neven Ilic, president of Panam Sports, during his speech from twelve days ago at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games Closing Ceremony in the National Stadium, in the presence of the highest authorities of Peru and Chile, 40 thousand people—including athletes and the general public—, and millions of viewers around the world. 

There are several factors that can determine that Lima 2019 is truly among the most successful continental events in history. 

The first factor is, without a doubt, the number of records that were set in this event, starting with the number of participating athletes: a total of 6508 athletes, a number never seen before in this type of event. Then, over 100,000 young people from around the world signed up as volunteers, with the final number being 12 thousand, and were essential to the organization. If we add to this the fact that the qualifying events for the Olympic Games increased from 12 to 21 sports disciplines, it is clear that we have a competition that was superior to past editions.  

The sports figures are surprising. The more than 100 Olympic medalists and the new generations of athletes showed everyone that the level of sports in the continent is on the rise. 

At Lima 2019, a total of 3028 medals were awarded: 419 gold medals, 419 silver medals, 523 bronze medals. Additionally, the US won the most medals with 293 and it was precisely one of its athletes who received the biggest applause because she was the top medal winner of the event. Rhythmic gymnast Evita Griskenas of Team USA won five medals in total: four gold in ball, hoop, ribbon and individual all-around, and one bronze in clubs.  

Moreover, several countries achieved historic performances: Brazil came in second with 171 medals (55 gold, 45 silver and 71 bronze); Mexico gave its best performance outside its borders, coming in third place with 136 medals; the host country, Peru, had never before won 11 gold medals and a total of 39; and Chile won 50 medals, 13 of which were gold, improving its best performance at Buenos Aires 1951. Finally, Aruba and the British Virgin Islands were the only two nations in the history of the Pan American Sports Organization to have never made it on to the podium, but in Lima, both nations won medals. Aruba won bronze in sailing and the Virgin Islands won gold in athletics. 

In total, 68 Pan American records were broken in eight sports: 13 in athletics, three in cycling, seven in swimming, 16 in archery, 14 in weightlifting and 15 in shooting. 

Nevertheless, by far the most important achievement of the XVIII edition of the Pan American Games came from Brady Ellison, from the United States. He earned 702 points in the individual recurve bow event, a new world record, leaving behind the 700-point record of Korean Kim Woojin from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Aside from the numbers, everything points to the fact that the outcome of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games was extremely positive for all the participants of this great continental event. And, as the curtain falls on this celebration, it will be four more years until Santiago de Chile gathers the best athletes of Americas once more, in a mission that will surely not be easy, since Peru set an extremely high bar in terms of organization and sports level.

ABOUT PANAM SPORTS

Exclusive content of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, including backstage and interviews of the greatest figures can be found on our Panam Sports Channel. Visit www.panamsportschannel.org

Panam Sports is the leader of sports and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. Panam Sports encourages the development of sports and supports the 41 National Olympic Committee members in order to inspire greater worldwide participation, as well as the participation of the youth, to prepare the next generation of athletes across the continent.

Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), the Organizing Committees of all regional Games, Pan American Sports Confederations, International Federations (IFs) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure the success of their main event: the Pan American Games.

For the latest news and updates on Panam Sports, visit the website www.panamsports.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @PanamSports.